Evidence of meeting #20 for Canada-China Relations in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was information.
A video is available from Parliament.
6:50 p.m.
President, Public Health Agency of Canada
An investigation was undertaken, and they no longer work with the agency.
6:50 p.m.
Bloc
Stéphane Bergeron Bloc Montarville, QC
In this case, since it was deemed appropriate, after an investigation, to kick them out and then dismiss them, there is reason to believe that everything wasn't done properly.
What were they accused of?
6:50 p.m.
President, Public Health Agency of Canada
There was an investigation, and they're no longer with the agency.
6:50 p.m.
Bloc
Stéphane Bergeron Bloc Montarville, QC
We understand that. What we want to know is what they were accused of. Why are they no longer employed by the agency?
6:50 p.m.
President, Public Health Agency of Canada
I am not at liberty to discuss the details of that investigation, sir.
6:50 p.m.
Bloc
Stéphane Bergeron Bloc Montarville, QC
I'm sorry, Mr. Stewart, but you're putting yourself in a position where you could be charged with contempt of Parliament. You're not answering the questions you're being asked. It's a simple question.
You told us a few moments ago that everything had been done properly, but that following an investigation, you had dismissed them and fired them. If everything was done according to the rules, what happened to get them to be dismissed?
Your answer raises many questions, not only for us parliamentarians, but also for the general public. Indeed, we have every reason to believe that a mistake was made and that information was passed on to the Chinese authorities.
6:55 p.m.
President, Public Health Agency of Canada
I'm sorry, sir. What's the question you'd like me to answer?
6:55 p.m.
Bloc
6:55 p.m.
President, Public Health Agency of Canada
They were investigated, and the investigation was completed. They are no longer a part of the agency.
6:55 p.m.
Bloc
Stéphane Bergeron Bloc Montarville, QC
We understand that. What we don't understand is why they were dismissed, if everything was done by the book. What mistake did they make?
6:55 p.m.
President, Public Health Agency of Canada
Sir, you've asked me the question. I can repeat the answer. An investigation was undertaken. They're no longer part of the agency.
6:55 p.m.
President, Public Health Agency of Canada
I'm not at liberty to discuss this further.
6:55 p.m.
Bloc
Stéphane Bergeron Bloc Montarville, QC
What we don't understand is why they were dismissed. We understand that there was an investigation and that they're no longer with the agency. But what we don't understand is why they were dismissed if everything was done properly. It suggests that not everything was done properly and that a mistake was made and we don't know what it was. There is every reason to believe that this mistake was serious enough, in terms of transmitting information to the Chinese authorities, that you felt it was appropriate to eject them and subsequently dismiss them.
What mistake did they make?
6:55 p.m.
President, Public Health Agency of Canada
I'm not at liberty to discuss the details of that investigation, sir.
6:55 p.m.
Bloc
Stéphane Bergeron Bloc Montarville, QC
A point of order, Mr. Chair.
Doesn't the witness have an obligation to answer questions that parliamentarians ask him?
6:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Geoff Regan
Thank you, Mr. Bergeron.
My impression is that witnesses have the right to respond as they wish. If the committee wants to make a decision on that, it can discuss it.
6:55 p.m.
Bloc
Stéphane Bergeron Bloc Montarville, QC
So I would like to tell the witness that we will certainly be looking at the refusal to answer that we've seen in the last few minutes. In terms of transparency and accountability, it is extremely distressing for Canadians and Quebecers.
It's also very concerning, because there was obviously a security breach. We know that live viruses were carried on an Air Canada flight. Is that a common practice?
We also know that there have already been breaches and leaks, as far as vaccines are concerned, at the Wuhan lab—
6:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Geoff Regan
Mr. Bergeron, your six minutes are up.
I have to give the floor to Mr. Harris now.
Mr. Harris, you have six minutes.
March 22nd, 2021 / 6:55 p.m.
NDP
Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL
Thank you, Chair.
Mr. Stewart, the individuals we're talking about here.... I know you haven't answered Mr. Bergeron's question, but I'll ask one more. Were these individuals charged with any offence?
6:55 p.m.
President, Public Health Agency of Canada
They would not be charged with an offence by us, sir. That is something that would come, of course, from police officers or an investigative body of some kind—
6:55 p.m.
President, Public Health Agency of Canada
At this time, I'm not aware of them being charged with any offence. What I can say is that an investigation was done, and they're no longer with the Public Health Agency.
6:55 p.m.
NDP
Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL
So you've never done any follow-up to find out what happened to them: whether they were charged, whether they weren't, what the results of the investigation were.
6:55 p.m.
President, Public Health Agency of Canada
To my knowledge, they have not been charged, but that's a matter you would want to pose to the RCMP. That's not an area we're involved in.